A New Future Ahead

After many months of planning and research, it was finally time to give my notice at the full-time job I had been working at for 2.5 years and to go out on my own. I had made some really close friendships and had gained some very valuable skills as a designer. I had many positives in a full-time job, but I also had learned after several years in the field, what kind of designer and professional I want to be and what kind of projects I want to pursue. It means a lot of changes and a major directions change, but also so many positives and long term goals for my career that I can have control over.

This change was the major reason for the office remodeling. I plan to network and make some new professional connections and a lot of this will be done in various locations. It is great in the meantime, to have a home base and a great office space to work in.

I also plan to take several months to make contact with new clients, but also to develop new web skills that I have not been able to cultivate in my full-time position. I also plan to keep working on my photography and to get back into sketching and going on day long trips for new design inspiration.

Here are some images from one of my sketchbooks that shows some of my research and business planning.



This list shows some of my brainstorming on a business name, before deciding on Flip Design. I should do another post on the development and thinking behind that name as well.





These two photographs shows some examples and notes on logos that I found interesting.







These show layout development for the Web site and also some thoughts on marketing materials.

I have one more week at work and then I will begin my new career adventure. I am excited to get started and see what new skills and creative endeavors I can take on! A big thank you to my husband for all of his support and to my best friend Chandler O'Leary for her inspiration on taking on this new path.

ARTCRANK 2010

On Saturday April 10, Jason, Paul, Allison, Josh and I attended the opening of the annual ARTCRANK Poster Show in Minneapolis.

We have been to every one since it started in 2006. The show is a fantastic showcase of local artists visual take on biking and specifically, biking in Minneapolis through posters. This year, the event was held at Shelter Studios on Broadway in Northeast.



These images are views from outside the studio and the bike parking provided by Full Cycle, a non-profit group in Minneapolis.

The venue was a huge improvement in space over the previous years where it had been held at the One On One Bicycle Studio in downtown Minneapolis. I had always loved the previous venue because of its central location and its great style and atmosphere. But, the new location was great since this event seems to get larger every year.







This event has always been such a great mix of the local creative community and the Minneapolis community as a whole. I am always amazed at the posters I end up loving and then purchasing and then the ones I see others leave with that I did not really notice. Many are silkscreened, sometimes in only editions of 30.

We see posters from artists we have seen every year, like Adam Turman and Studio on Fire.



But every year, we also see new artists and each year has surprisingly different styles and an overall feel.













Despite having to stand in line for a while to pay and pick up your posters, it is all worth it, every time. We love this show and will attend every year, even if we run out of room with the number of posters we have acquired. It is a great chance to mingle with creatives and Minneapolis enthusiasts alike. Thanks Minneapolis, for another great reason to live in your city.

Redesigning the Office/Attic Part 2

Just a quick update on the office remodeling process. Last weekend, Jason spent most of the weekend painting and we are so thrilled with the new color. The walls went from a sage green to a clear blue; very light and fresh!

Next weekend will be furniture buying and assembling. I will keep posting as we make progress!

I Heart Minnesota Rollergirls

Last Saturday, Jason and a couple of our friends went to the Championship Bout Minnesota Rollergirls Derby at Roy Wilkins Auditorium in Saint Paul. This was my second time attending the awesome, totally aggressive and woman powered series of jams and the last one for the season. We happened this time to be lucky enough to have scored some on the floor seats from a friend of ours who could not attend that night. While I loved seeing it on the balcony last time, on the floor and close to the action was was more fun and entertaining. It also gave me a great chance to take some awesome photographs! The battles between the Dagger Dolls and the Garda Belts in two different halves were amazing with some good, high-scoring jams and some aggressive falls.





I cheer for the Garda Belts because I absolutely love Suzie Smashbox who is a fast jammer and also a good weaver between some good blockers.







I picked up the rules pretty quickly but rather than spend this blog writing them all out, check out the Rollergirls site for more details.

The main bout was between the Atomic Bombshells and the Rockits. I cheer for the Bombshells with my favorite skater, L'exi Cuter.







There was a full house on Saturday and tons of loud cheering, swearing, standing and shouting and whole-hearted enthusiasm when the Atomic Bombshells won the Golden Skate.









OK, so why do I love the Minnesota Rollergirls?
1. It is all women competing.
2. Each skater is their own independent personality with a unique take on their uniform.
3. The crowd is a great mix of people with no pretentious personalities.
4. The semi-punk look and style.
5. The rules are easy to follow and it is fast paced but easy to watch.
6. It is a sport both my husband and I love to watch together.
7. The poster art for the bouts are designed well and are often silkscreened.
8. The competitors are average women who happen to love the sport and have a lot of enthusiasm for the fans.

It is yet another reason I love living in Minnesota and a great addition to my year!